Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss

Vice President Leni Robredo shares her own experience to the graduates of Angat Buhay Young Leaders in Government Fellowship during its graduation ceremony on November 27, 2019 at the Office of the Vice President in Quezon City. INQUIRER.net photo / Noy Morcoso

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo said that true leaders should perform well even if they work under an “uninspiring” boss.

This was Robredo’s advice to beneficiaries of her Angat Buhay program’s fellowship project, who graduated on Wednesday — three days after she was fired from co-chairing the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

Robredo said her advice was based on her personal experiences.

“The challenge really is […] how to find solutions in an environment na very, talagang the limitations given to you are just too much.  Ang pinaka-madali kasi is to pass the blame on others, hindi ko nagawa ang trabaho ko kasi uninspired ako sa aking boss,” Robredo said during the program at the Quezon City Reception House.

(The challenge really is […] how to find solutions in an environment where the limitations given to you are just too much.  The easy way would be to pass the blame on others and say I was not able to do my job well because my boss failed to inspire me.)

“Hindi ako nagpe-perform well kasi hindi ako namo-motivate ng aking boss. ‘Pag gano’n ang ating mga dahilan, hindi tayo tunay na leader,” she added.  “Pero ang tunay na leader magsasabi na kahit uninspiring ‘yong aking boss, ginagawa ko pa rin ng maayos ‘yong trabaho ko.”

(That I did not perform well because my boss did not motivate me.  If these are our reasons, then we are not true leaders.  True leaders will say that in spite of my uninspiring boss, I am still working hard.)

During her speech, Robredo did not delve into the details of her remarks, but the last job where she had a boss was at ICAD, which was a result of President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to appoint her.

Duterte appointed the Vice President last October 31, while the memorandum was received by the Office of the Vice President on November 5.  A day after, she accepted the post — but she was eventually fired last Sunday, with her stint lasting only 18 days.

Even before accepting the post, there were personalities who doubted on her capabilities to lead the government’s anti-drug campaign.  Through her time at the ICAD, Robredo met several hurdles especially after proposing to replace Oplan Tokhang, the police’s prime anti-drug program, and after asking for a copy of the list of high-value targets (HVT).

Before the decision to fire Robredo, Duterte said that he does not trust her because she had talked with foreign organizations that the government has already rebuked.  He also mentioned one foreign prosecutor that Robredo allegedly invited, although it was denied by the latter.

Duterte eventually apologized for believing in the so-called “fake news” although he clarified that he could never trust Robredo as she is with the opposition.  The President is an official of the ruling PDP-Laban, while Robredo chairs the Liberal Party, an opposition bloc.

Edited by JPV